The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-02-03
More Clean Than Cody.

The woman who is so absorbed in
her housework as to chronicle events by
noting that Harry died on tin securing
dav, that Jimmy was married on gen.
eral sweeping day, or that Susie was
born on window washing morning
remembering, regretfullv, that the win
dow washing was therefore postponed
may give her family Il very good
house to live in, but not an attractive
home. In home we expect to find the
nearest approximation to comfort that
is allowed the unhappy dwellers on this
beniohted sphere; in home we want
II place where we may lay aside the
irksome restraints which society i'm
poses upon us-where we may be ut
ease at least ten minutes out of the four
teen hundred and forty minutes of the
day, and where we may enjoy some
thing like rest. And oh! my dear over
neat sister, how much OF this comfort,
this ease, this rest, do you permit your
poor family to have? Henry crowds
his business into fewer hours, and comes
up from the Office earlier than usual,
thinking TO enjoy drive with you.
Rash man! He finds the front porch
filled with the parlor furniture, the
maid of all work down on her knees
vigorously applying n polishing cloth,
and you-your head enwrapped in a
towel-leaning out of a window in a
breakneck position, endeavoring to
sweep down the cobwebs that exist
chiefly in your brain. He swallows the
disappointment which the first glimpse
of home induces. and. bravely venturlng
all, tells you to take off that towel, put
on your bonnet and shawl, and come
with him. And you!-you turn on him
look of mingled scorn and reproach,
and indicating the confusion round
about with lofty wave of your broom.
exclaim contemptuously. This looks
like driving. doesn't il?"
My erring housewife, your husband
may. in despair. go for some younger,
handsomer woman 10 drive with him,
and there are uncharitable persons in
the world who will not pity you If he
does, for this is not the on.y time that
neatness has coniiicted with comfort -
that the house has proved an insur-
mountable obstacle in the way of hap
piness. Henry has ten minutes after
dinner; he seats himself and resolves to
rest for that space of time. You look
tired. The martyreG air with which
YOU have carried yourself during the
meal has irritated him. He does wish
that you would sit down too. and let the
house go to the dogs, if it must, through
ten minutes of sheer idleness. But no;
with weary footsteps you drag yourself
upstairs and down again, appearing in
sun LonneL Not too pleasantly, he
inquiries, What are you going to do
now?" With Joan of Arc expression.
you heroically reply that you are going
out to prop up that trelis in the back
yard. It's leaning over, and looks di.
lapidated; and when you have u hus-
band who won't put n nail in anything
to keep it from falling TO pieces, why,
YOU must do 1t yourself. You amt good
for much, you know, but thank the
Lord! you do love to sec things in
order. Henry may jump up. stride out
to the trellis. grasp hammer and nails,
and, striking energetically but blindly.
hit his thumb. swear, toss the hammer
farther. snap out the intelligence thai
he'll send man from the store to fix it.
and go down town in anything but a
Christian frame of mind. Or he may
doggedly sit still and permit you tC
prop up the trellis. since you do want &c
distinguish yourself as martyr. But
his peace is spoiled; wicked thoughts
ill his mind. and it is barely possible
that he will inwardly declare that if the
first law of Heaven is order he doesn'
want TO go there. True. there are men
who would tenderly embrace their wife
tell her aifectionately that she is tired
beg her to rest, and say. Il will do il
myself DEAR" and who will perform the
task without grumble. But. alas, fol
flesh and blood! such men live only in
books and behind the footlights. and il
is the unamiable, live creature. not tht
paper or stage creation, with whom W.
have TO deal.-FIOrG Hc Donald, a
fond HfueekppniO1